umbilical hernia repair - any expereinces?

[rexall]

Sun 15 Feb 2015, 9:16 pm

Hi ListMates,

I posted this originally on the Khon Kaen Forum, but thought I would open it up for wider discussion. My last experience was five years ago, and I wonder if the "state of the art" has advanced any since then, and what OP's experience has been. Is surgery and recovery for umbilical hernia faster and less traumatic and for inguinal (groin) hernia?

About five years ago, I had an inguinal (groin) hernia repaired at Khon Kaen RAM. There were good and bad things about that experience. However, as I had never been been hospitalized or operated on before, I had no basis for comparison. For example getting the <span _y9e"="">epidural (spinal) anesthetic was really unpleasant and painful. They had me bent over and crunched forward so I could hardly breathe, and then one of the several shots felt like an electric shock all the way down my back into my leg. It didn't/doesn't seem to me that is what is supposed to happen, but as I said, I have no basis for comparison. I would like to hope that the anesthesiologist was just inartful rather than typical, I would not welcome that experience again! Of course, once the anesthetic kicked in, I didn't feel anything while they gutted me like a fish.

Anyway, now I believe I need to get an umbilical hernia repaired. From reading, I get the impression that is less traumatic and the recovery arc is faster than with a groin repair. But I am not certain. Anyone have any experience?

Anyway, a lot can change in five years, and I am way out of the loop on hospitals and such.

Any updates and suggestions for the best place to get this done in Khon Kaen.

Thanks, lah!

[rodknock]

i just had an epigastric hernia surgery for the second time. first time in 1985, operated and a patch was inserted.

the second surgery in dec. 2014 was to repair intestine folded in half pushing through and pinching off bowl movements.

surgery was simple. was operated on a sat. afternoon and discharged sunday afternoon. only problem was the incision became infected. after 3-4 weeks of daily dressing changes and antibiotics all healed.

virtually painless, that does not mean any surgery will be similar.

[Sheryl]

Actually both inguinal and umbilical hernia repairs are more often done under general anesthesia, not sure why you had a spinal, do you have underlying chronic condition that would contraindicate general?

[rexall]

Thanks for yours, Sheryl.

I have hypertension and a big belly, so perhaps that guided their choice of epidural rather than general? They never discussed options with me. However, I had already done research on the internet and epidural seemed like a common enough choice, so I didn't question it. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages to both. But they gave me no preop sedatives or anything. During the procedure, I had to ask the anesthesiologist for a benzo as the experience was just a little bit unnerving, being gutted like a fish and all! Then had to ask for something for nausea. You would think they would give both of those as a matter of course.

Then afterwards, the doc tells me that he removed my appendix because it was "in the way." It this had been a Western country, I probably would have pursued that. But this is Thailand, and I suppose I should be grateful that I got out of there alive and with my genitals intact!

Oh, well! Never a dull moment in paradise!

[NickJ]

They will always try an. Epidural here .....sadly there just not good at it.....it most cases.......when it comes to spinal landmarks and all......Sorry Op an umbilcal hernia has more surgical perimeters than a simple Inguinal repair.......there will be a drainage bag and at best without comps....in this country Two days....and nights.......

[Soutpeel]

Actually both inguinal and umbilical hernia repairs are more often done under general anesthesia, not sure why you had a spinal, do you have underlying chronic condition that would contraindicate general?

I had an inguinal hernia repair done about 6 years ago at Bangkok Rayong and was in very good health and was offered a spinal as well, and I suggested for their own sakes they had better knock me out before bringing a scalpel anywhere near me LOL